Dear Reader...Dear Friend, how good you are! How generous and gracious!
Since sharing that my job had been eliminated for the upcoming school year, you have blessed me more than you can imagine with your gifts of compassion and encouragement. They have calmed and soothed my soul.
Since sharing that my job had been eliminated for the upcoming school year, you have blessed me more than you can imagine with your gifts of compassion and encouragement. They have calmed and soothed my soul.
Even though I've been doing it for years, I never ceased to be amazed at how the Holy Spirit longs to guide us to exactly the wisdom we need in the Word.
You may recall that I was recentlyre traveling the book of Exodus. About chapter 22, I was redirected to 1 John. It's counsel and challenge were exactly what the Great Physician ordered.
Brought face to face with choosing my will or the Lord's, especially during Lent, couldn't help but remind me of our Lord's battle in Gethsame.
You may recall that I was recentlyre traveling the book of Exodus. About chapter 22, I was redirected to 1 John. It's counsel and challenge were exactly what the Great Physician ordered.
Brought face to face with choosing my will or the Lord's, especially during Lent, couldn't help but remind me of our Lord's battle in Gethsame.
41 Then he went off from them about the distance of a stone's throw and knelt down and prayed. 42 “Father,” he said, “if you will, take this cup of suffering away from me. Not my will, however, but your will be done.”
Luke 22: 41-42 GNT
He knew...He knows...Jesus knows how hard it is to surrender to Our Heavenly Father's will. Knowing He would become the "Darling of Heaven, Crucified", His mortal flesh cried out to be released from His terrible mission.
Our struggles to surrender can seem feeble at best compared to the battle at Gethsemane, can't they, Dear Reader?
Was I really struggling to yield to my Father's will? Or was I clinging to the tantalizing rags of comfort this world offers?
Reading and reflecting through 1 John became journal prayers. I realized that I couldn't harbor ill will against my employer and have a close relationship with the Lord.
I had to make a choice, "to hate my brother" or love my Father. I couldn't do both. And just as important, I began longing to want His will over mine.
We tend to tie our stories to this pale planet. But Dear Reader, when we seek our Heavenly Father's will we catch a glimpse of how endless our stories really are.
Perhaps Jesus saw a glimpse of His endless story, and it helped Him endure and obey.
Our struggles to surrender can seem feeble at best compared to the battle at Gethsemane, can't they, Dear Reader?
Was I really struggling to yield to my Father's will? Or was I clinging to the tantalizing rags of comfort this world offers?
Reading and reflecting through 1 John became journal prayers. I realized that I couldn't harbor ill will against my employer and have a close relationship with the Lord.
I had to make a choice, "to hate my brother" or love my Father. I couldn't do both. And just as important, I began longing to want His will over mine.
We tend to tie our stories to this pale planet. But Dear Reader, when we seek our Heavenly Father's will we catch a glimpse of how endless our stories really are.
Perhaps Jesus saw a glimpse of His endless story, and it helped Him endure and obey.
11 Again I looked, and I heard angels, thousands and millions of them! They stood around the throne, the four living creatures, and the elders, 12 and sang in a loud voice:
“The Lamb who was killed is worthy to receive power, wealth, wisdom, and strength, honor, glory, and praise!”
13 And I heard every creature in heaven, on earth, in the world below, and in the sea—all living beings in the universe—and they were singing:
“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honor, glory and might, forever and ever!”
Revelation 5:11-13 GNT
Dear Reader, I wish I could tell you my spirit and will became totally yielded to that of the Father. That would be a lie. What I can share is that I'm much closer than I was a few weeks ago.
Have you struggled with giving up your will to our Creator's? It's okay, Dear Reader, truly it is. If we didn't struggle, we wouldn't need a Savior. He's waiting for you in the garden.
Whether it was my tiny step or His great big grace, the Lord has provided a way for me to continue serving Him and His children in my little school, but in a slightly different way. And bonus, I'll have more time to devote to my true calling, and that includes you!
Thank you for sharing the pages and chapters of your endless stories with me. Prayers and blessings as your endless story is being written!
Have you struggled with giving up your will to our Creator's? It's okay, Dear Reader, truly it is. If we didn't struggle, we wouldn't need a Savior. He's waiting for you in the garden.
Whether it was my tiny step or His great big grace, the Lord has provided a way for me to continue serving Him and His children in my little school, but in a slightly different way. And bonus, I'll have more time to devote to my true calling, and that includes you!
Thank you for sharing the pages and chapters of your endless stories with me. Prayers and blessings as your endless story is being written!
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